Shelton Business Spotlight: Doggie Styles Grooming

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series we’ve kicked off at Patch — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Doggie Styles Grooming
Owners: The Patrick Family
Website: www.doggiestylesgrooming.com
Address: 210 Leavenworth Dr. White Hills Shopping Center. Shelton

How did you come up with the name?

We thought for a long time and when Doggie Styles came up, we knew that had to be it.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

When we first started in 2002, we were mobile and we came to your driveway. But gas prices hit $2 gallon and the van wasn’t meant to be driven in winter weather, so we decided to expand into salon grooming. We opened our first shop in 2006 on Center Street but quickly outgrew it. We moved to the White Hills Shopping Center soon after and we’ve been growing steadily ever since. We live in Shelton and its a blessing to have a business in your own home town. Plus people of the valley love their pets so we have a great clientele.

Briefly, what business are you in?

We groom all breed dogs and cats, and sell USA made collars and leashes. We also carry a line of leashes and collars made out of 100% recycled water bottles. We carry products for dogs and cats with itchy skin and yeasty ears, because we see a lot of that in the animals we groom.

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Owning a business is 24/7, so you never really get a vacation. Last year we went to Disneyland and forwarded the phone, so we were answering calls while waiting in line for Space Mountain, it was pretty funny. Also, the taxes in CT for a small business make it very difficult. Last year the state made us start to collect tax for our services. Its been a struggle for our customers who are already stretched thin.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

We have never second guessed our decision to open a family business. You work hard and everything comes together.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

Being named one of Fairfield County’s Best Grooming Salons was great, but the feedback we get from our customers and the amount of trust they put in us is very humbling and our greatest achievement. We recently had a client will us her dog, we were honored. We’ve made many friends both two and four legged.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

Offering flexible drop off and pick up was an innovative idea for this industry. That’s what our customers wanted so that is what we did.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

We take responsibility when we make a mistake, we go out of our way to try accommodate every need and 99% of the time we are successful. But you can’t please everybody.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

Giving back is important to us and one of the reasons why we wanted to start a business. 15% of our revenue is donated back to the community and causes we believe in; St Judes Children Hospital, Sarah Rescue, Shelton Animal Shelton, Veterans Associations, MS Society, TEAM and all the local schools.

Would you like to see your small business featured? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.

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